“Well, I shall certainly give her a very severe talking to in the morning,” said Aunt Anne, as she sat over her solitary tea. “As self-willed as her father, every bit. Oh, dear me! how children are changed since I was young.”
Aunt Anne retired early. The butler did not, for it was his duty to sit up and admit the gentlemen.
Alison returned about half-past eleven, and went at once to his room, while the butler once more settled himself down in an easy-chair to wait, and went to sleep, awaking in the morning stiff and unrefreshed to find that his waiting up had been in vain.
A couple of hours later, when he took in the breakfast, he had two announcements to make; but he hesitated, as Isabel had just entered the room.
“You can speak out. What is it?” said Aunt Anne.
“Mr Neil hasn’t been back all night, ma’am.”
“What?”
“And—”
The butler stopped.
“Well, speak, man; there is nothing wrong?” cried Aunt Anne.